Can Yoga Help Improve your Posture?

The kind of lifestyle we live nowadays can wreak havoc on our postures. We spend many hours sitting behind computers at work, taking care of our children, driving in cars and even doing house chores. Over time, the spine begins to curve and the shoulders round forward and we find ourselves moving about the world with spinal alignments that are compromised (or bad posture).

I usually go to shop on Tuesdays evening. A friend of mine and a Yoga Instructor Anne wanted me to change my shopping schedule so I could join her for yoga but I wasn’t interested. I always excused myself until the day I saw a young man at the counter whose back was a bit curved. I got nearer and took a closer look. And yes it was true. I paid up and left the store as fast as I could, just to call Anne.

She didn’t pick my call, and then it hit me – this is the time she goes for her yoga sessions. So I had to wait patiently for about an hour so I could call her again. I got home and all I could think of was how that guy in the store looked like. I didn’t blame him because I was still sailing in the same boat.

Later on, Anne called back and I told her what I saw. She burst out laughing. In fact, she couldn’t stop laughing and I got annoyed. Why was she laughing at that guy? She stopped after a few seconds and explained that she was laughing at me. “How many times have I asked you to come for yoga?”, she asked. Instead of answering, I requested her to come over to my place.

She came later that evening and explained more about how yoga helps in improving posture among other benefits. She said that most people end up having poor posture as they grow old. I knew I had to take some steps in the right directions – and that’s yoga.

Other than increasing body awareness, Anne explained how yoga lengthens the spine while strengthening the core. She mentioned that the spine holds our body up all day long and that’s why I have to ensure that I keep it in a tip-top condition. It also has to support and carry my head all day long. Poses like mountain pose, standing forward bend, cobra pose, child’s pose and locust pose are extremely helpful.

I attend yoga classes with Anne now and the next day I get close to the same guy, I will have to find a way to talk to him. So, just the way bad habits tend to develop over time, we can all spare some time to build back the good habits. Practicing yoga at least three times a week is a healthy and easy option for improving your posture. Thanks to Anne, now I know better. Nowadays I stand tall and people tell me that am more confident and I even appear thinner! The feeling is amazing and am glad I have a friend like Anne.